We know. Those tzitzis strings… in the washing machine… ugh! And we know all about the ordeal of washing wool Tzitzis! But washing tzitzis doesn’t have to be such an annoying, dreaded task. Here are some tips and products to help you, no strings attached. (See what we did there?)
1. Products for washing tzitzis or keeping the wool white:
The Magen Tzitzit – Fringe Guard Laundry Protector
This handy dandy little gadget will keep the tzitzis strings untangled and from fraying in the washing machine. Many we spoke to swear by this product. It is sold on amazon.com (linked below), and you can purchase this in packs of four, which we recommend!
The Washtzitz Tzitzis Wash Bag
A follower alerted us to this wonder, saying this wash bag is a total game changer. It’s shaped perfectly for tzitzis strings, and seems really innovative, proving Jews really do find a solution to everything.
Note: We did hear that using an old knee high for the strings is effective as well, if you wish to avoid buying another product!
Superio Sparkle Garment Whitener
This product works wonders on wool tzitzis. Rub a little product directly onto the stains. Then, soak tzitzis in a bowl of COLD water, and add capful of this. There are directions on the bottle which you can follow.
Shaklee Nature Bright Laundry Booster and Stain Remover
You can add Shaklee Nature Bright to your load or even for presoaking works wonders for stains. It also helps with the color of the wool.
2. General Tips and Tricks to make tzitzis last:
- Treat the ends of your tzitzis strings with clear nail polish to keep them from unraveling.
- Silver Foil does the trick, too! Just wrap the strings in silver foil before placing in the wash.
- Use socks folded over the tzitzis strings, with a rubber band securing the sock in place, to keep the strings from tearing or wearing out.
- For the littles, when purchasing your tzitzis, have them trim the strings in the store for you, so they don’t drag and end up dirty and nasty. (Yuck!) Note: The tzitzis need to be cut with special scissors, so unless you own those, have them cut in the store.
- Some say they iron their tzitzis strings to keep them from ‘frizzling’.
3. Wool Tzitzis- Some Tips:
- Wash in COLD WATER ONLY.
- Some say soaking in milk keeps the wool white.
- There is a product called Vaas that will help keep the wool white as well. (It is sold at Farkas talleisim.)
- Hydrogen peroxide and sun! Soak the tzitzis in hydrogen peroxide and water (be generous with the peroxide), and then hang it out in the sun to whiten. You can either rinse with cold water after or run in a gentle cycle in just water in your machine.
- Iron tzitzis when damp; iron until dry.
- Here’s a ‘recipe’ from a follower:
1 cup milk
1 tbsp Murphy oil soap
1/4 White Brite
Woolite
Mix well with water before adding tzitzis. Add tzitzis and then let sit for 5-10 minutes, not longer or it will eat up the wool. Rinse well with COLD water. Then put it in machine on a spin cycle, or hang to dry. - Another ‘recipe’ from a follower:
Fill up a basin with warm water, then add:
1 capful White Brite
1 cup Arm & Hammer with OxiClean (Do NOT use any detergent+OxiClean)
1 cup milk
Soak for 1-1.5 hours. Run through a cycle in cold water without detergent, or rinse well.
Any other tips? Leave them in the comments below!
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This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional rabbinical advice. Please ask your local Orthodox rabbi if you have any questions on this post.
1 Comment
by H. Reich
Wet woolen tzitzes and spray stains with Zout to remove stains. Then soak in cold water with Iron Out (just a little because it’s quite strong). After about an hour wash with Tide with bleach. Always come out snow white.